US to deploy additional soldiers to support Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq

The US Army has announced the deployment of additional troops to support Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq for the next phase of the fight against ISIS.

The move comes as US President Barack Obama recently announced an increase in authorised troop levels in Iraq.

Nearly 400 more personnel will be sent to Iraq to help local forces recapture the northern city of Mosul from ISIS, media sources reported.

"These soldiers are trained and ready to join the fight."

Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) will join approximately 1,300 previously deployed soldiers from the same unit, the US Army said in a statement.

2nd Brigade Combat Team provisional brigade commander lieutenant colonel Eric Lopez said: "We call these soldiers the Strike Ready Force. They have remained prepared to deploy and join the team in Iraq at a moment's notice.

"These soldiers are trained and ready to join the fight."‎

As of 15 July, the total cost of operations related to ISIS since kinetic operations started on 8 August 2014, is $8.4bn, according to a statement posted on the US Department of Defense website.

The US and partner nation aircraft have flown around 105,695 sorties in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria, as of April 2016.